BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Sept. 23, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA today announced it has been awarded a contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to serve as a national stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan provider.
"Medicare Part D is a significant expansion of the Medicare program that will help provide beneficiaries access to prescription drugs at an affordable cost," said Michael Ferris, president of CIGNA Senior Care. "We are pleased to be a national provider of Part D plans, and our commitment is to make our plans simple, affordable, easy to understand and easy to use. We look forward to providing information and education to beneficiaries to help them learn more about the new prescription drug benefit, evaluate their choices, and select the CIGNA plan that best meets their coverage needs."
Ferris said CIGNA will offer its CIGNATURE Rx(SM) Medicare Part D plans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Three different plan options with varying levels of coverage will be available. Options will include a no- deductible plan and a plan that provides an increased level of coverage for generic drugs through the coverage gap. Each of the options will feature broad access to prescription drugs. Plan participants will be able to obtain their prescriptions at any of the more than 50,000 CIGNATURE Rx participating network pharmacies. The network includes national retail pharmacies, local independent pharmacies and home delivery services.
Earlier this year, CIGNA and NationsHealth, Inc., announced a strategic alliance to jointly deliver national Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. The alliance combines NationsHealth's experience in service and distribution to the Medicare population with CIGNA's industry-leading pharmacy product portfolio and medication therapy management programs.
In addition to being a national Medicare Part D prescription drug plan provider, CIGNA Senior Care is a provider of health care and related benefits programs for those ages 55 and older, including active employees, retirees and Medicare beneficiaries. CIGNA Senior Care is also a service provider for the administration of Medicare claims and health support programs. CIGNA also offers a Medicare Advantage plan in Arizona, and will serve as a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan provider in Arizona.
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits, and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health advocacy. "CIGNA" and "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation . Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.
CIGNA HealthCareCONTACT: Amy Turkington of CIGNA, +1-860-226-3489
Web site: http://www.cigna.com//
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